Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Tim 4:12 (KJV)
Objectives
The Mar Thoma Yuvajana Sakhyam was established with the objective of assisting the youth within the Mar Thoma Church in accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It aims to provide training in worship, foster Christian fellowship, promote active involvement in the Church's mission, uphold Christian values, and organize various events such as camps, meetings, and discussions to enhance youth's understanding of the Holy Bible, the faith of the church, and its practices.
Established in 2004, Salem Marthoma Church Yuvajana Sakhyam comprises a community of energetic youth and young families dedicated to upholding the cherished values, culture, and artifacts of India, with a special focus on the rich heritage of Kerala. Additionally, the group aims to deepen the understanding and significance of leading a Christian life amidst the challenges prevalent in the modern world. The core principles of the organization revolve around our motto, which emphasizes Worship, Study, Witness, and Service. The Yuvajana Sakhyam of Salem Marthoma Church has a membership of over 50 active participants. The yuvajana sakyam members actively participates in center, region and in diocesan programmes and leadership.
Activities
The Yuvajana Sakhyam of Salem Marthoma Church gathers monthly for their cottage prayer meeting, specifically on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 6 PM. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the meetings were held online using Zoom or in person at the church while adhering to social distancing guidelines. Currently, regular meetings take place at the church.
These meetings encompass a range of engaging activities, including singing sessions, Bible reading, debates, Bible quizzes, and other engaging activities. Usually, our Achen delivers the messages and shares the word of God. However, on occasions when the achen is unavailable, we invite esteemed speakers to address the gathering. Additionally, senior former Sakhyam members are sometimes invited to share their insights and perspectives on the word of God. Furthermore, our members actively participate in various programs and initiatives, including:
- Serving as relief and rescue volunteers during times of disasters.
- Engaging in charitable works by dedicating time, effort, and resources to noble causes.
- Leading Yuvajana Sakhyam Sunday services.
- Actively participating in church activities such as the harvest festival and Christmas carol services.
- Organizing gatherings for Sakhyam families.
- Hosting and serving the traditional Onam Sadhya to all parish members during the first month of the Malayalam calendar.
- Collaborating with the Youth Fellowship (YF) and Sunday School to conduct joint praise and worship sessions.
- In 2023, the Salem Yuvajana Sakhyam joins hands with YF for the annual convention.
- Organizing the sales of Maramon Convention CDs at the church.
- Every year, the Yuvajana Sakhyam hosts the 'Salem Cup', a charity badminton event that attracts participants from neighboring states, well-known sports clubs, churches, and professional players. It serves as a platform for diverse participants to come together and contribute to a charitable cause.
- The Yuvajana Sakhyam is organizing the 'Salem Games', annual sports meet that caters to all age groups within the church community. This initiative aims to enhance engagement and promote active participation. Furthermore, there are plans to open the event to the public in the near future, allowing a broader audience to partake in the sports activities.
